BEIJING — The naval forces of China and Russia are preparing to conduct joint military exercises in the waters and airspace near the Chinese port city of Qingdao beginning next week, according to announcements from China’s defense ministry and Russian state media on Sunday.
China’s defense ministry noted in an official statement that once the drills conclude, participating forces from both countries will move on to conduct joint maritime patrols in relevant areas of the Pacific Ocean.
The exercises are held on a yearly basis and are described as being “aimed at jointly addressing security challenges and maintaining regional peace and stability,” according to the statement.
Russia’s state-run RIA news agency reported that vessels from Russia’s Pacific Fleet — including a cruiser, a corvette, a diesel-electric submarine, and a rescue ship — had already arrived in Qingdao ahead of the drills, which are scheduled to take place from July 6 through July 13.
